Finding Housing With a Felony on Your Record in Philadelphia

Finding Housing With a Felony on Your Record in Philadelphia

Looking for an apartment or house to rent in Philly can be really stressful, ya know? It’s hard enough trying to find a nice place you can afford even without a record. But having a felony conviction makes it so much harder. Landlords can legally deny you just because of your criminal record. It sucks, but it’s the truth. I feel you, I’ve been there myself.

But don’t lose hope! There are still options out there if you know where to look and how to approach it. I wrote this article to try and help anyone in Philly with a record who’s struggling to find a place. I’ll go over your rights, programs that help felons with housing, and tips to improve your chances. Finding housing is possible, even with background issues. You just gotta be smart and persistent about it.

Your Rights Renting in Philly with a Record

First, you should understand what rights you do and don’t have when applying to rentals with a criminal history in Philly. It ain’t all bad news, but you need to know what you’re up against.

Private Landlords

With private landlords, they can pretty much deny you for any conviction if they want. Sucks, I know. They can’t deny you just for an arrest that didn’t lead to a conviction though. That’s important to remember.

And they can’t have a policy that bans literally anyone with any kind of record, because that tends to unfairly impact certain groups more than others. But they can deny applicants on a case-by-case basis for all sorts of convictions.

So with private rentals, you really gotta put your best foot forward and convince the landlord you’ll be a good tenant. More on how to do that later.

Public and Subsidized Housing

If you’re applying to public housing, like through the Philadelphia Housing Authority, you’ve got more concrete rules about what they can and can’t deny you for.

They can refuse you for:

• Drug crimes
• Violent crimes
• Crimes that threatened the health and safety of others
• If you’re a lifetime registered sex offender
• If you were evicted from subsidized housing for making meth
• Active drug use

But minor crimes further back in your past are less likely to hurt your application. The PHA has to look at stuff like how long ago it was, the severity of the crime, and whether you’ve turned your life around.

So even with the housing authority, don’t assume a record means an automatic denial. You still have a decent shot if it wasn’t for a serious recent crime.

Programs That Help Felons with Housing in Philly

There are a few great organizations in Philly focused on helping folks with records find housing. If you’re really struggling, be sure to reach out to them!

The Mayor’s Office of Reintegration Services (RISE)

RISE has case managers that work with people coming home from prison or with recent arrests. They can help you make a reentry plan that includes lining up housing options.

Give them a call at 215-686-0803 or contact RISE here.

The Philadelphia Reentry Coalition

This organization maintains a big list of reentry resources in Philly, including housing assistance. Check out their housing resources page.

Philadelphia Housing Authority Second Chance Program

The PHA runs this program to help formerly incarcerated individuals get into public housing. You have to be referred by a partner organization, but it improves your chances a lot.

Learn more about the Second Chance program here.

Project HOME

This Philly nonprofit helps people dealing with homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse issues. They have some housing programs that accept people with criminal records. Call their intake line at 215-232-7272.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

Even without special programs, there’s stuff you can do to help convince landlords to give you a chance despite your record.

Get Your Record Cleared or Sealed if Possible

If your charges are old or minor enough, you may be able to get them expunged or sealed. This can make your record basically invisible to landlords doing background checks.

The Public Defender’s Office can help you file for record clearing if they represented you. There’s also Community Legal Services and some private expungement attorneys.

Gather Documents and Letters of Support

Put together anything you can that shows you’ve turned your life around – letters from employers, certificate from programs you completed in prison, that kinda thing.

Also get letters of support from community members talking about your character and work ethic. Landlords eat that stuff up.

Explain Your Circumstances

Write a letter to landlords explaining the context around your charges, how long ago it was, and the positive steps you’ve taken since then.

Come clean about your record up front, but put your best foot forward. This can reassure landlords a lot.

Start Your Search Early

Looking for felon-friendly housing takes more time and you’ll face more rejections. Give yourself a few extra months to search if you can.

Ask Around About Felon-Friendly Landlords

Some landlords in Philly are more open to applicants with records than others. Ask social workers and other felons for recommendations of who to try applying with.

Don’t Lose Hope!

I know it’s frustrating and depressing getting denied from place after place because of your record. Philly needs major reform to housing laws if you ask me. But don’t let it destroy your spirit! Keep putting in applications, get support, and be strategic. There are still landlords out there who will give you a fair chance if you keep working for it.

And remember, your past mistakes don’t define you. You served your time, and you deserve housing and compassion like anyone else. We’re all just trying to get by. Landlords who only see your record and not the full human behind it are missing out. Their loss!

Stay strong Philly. We’ll get there.

– Andre, your neighbor in the struggle